Edmond Mondesir
Encyclopedia
Edmond Mondesir was born in Fort-de-France
(Martinique
) in 1948. Professor of Philosophy, talented writer and composer, he is also a recognized singer and an awarded « tanbou bèlè
» musician.
. He then participates in many traditional groups and starts to investigate in the North Martinique’s provinces searching for the authentic Bèlé.
After this starting road, he creates with Léon Bertide the group Bèlènou in 1980 and records his first Bèlé’s album, with his own compositions and a traditional touch. In 1983, it comes out their second album, consecrated to modern instrumental Bèlé. Between 1980 and 2002 Edmond Mondésir makes nine productions, divided between traditional Bèlé and modern Bèlé, between sung bèlé and instrumental Bèlé.
During their 25 years career he performed with his group on the Martinica’s most prestigious stages. The artist’s fame expands all over the Caribbean
and Latin America, and it was in a Cuban festival where he found the inspiration for the song “Santiago”.
In 2003, he receives the SACEM award as a homenage to his whole work.
Today, Edmond Mondésir is an important pillar in the Bèlé music in Martinique. He is, at the same time, a defensor of this music’s authenticity and the executor of its modernization about the Bèlé spirit’s integrity. But more than an artist, he is a cultural militant that has been fighting for thirty years for the Maritinican to be proud of their cultural identity and get it back.
The first album with Manuel Mondésir: « Emosion Bèlè - Les chants du père, la musique du fils » (2006) made and arranged by his son Manuel is the symbol of a bridge between two generations, an exotic and calm trip over a music with roots and multiple aspects.
In 2008 the second collaboration with Manuel Mondésir : « Emosion Bèlè 2 - Hommage à Ti Emile ». It's a tribute to one of the greatest singer of bèlè Ti Emile (1925–1992).
In 2009, he released two albums "Sé Pou La viktwa Nou Ka Alé" and "Nou Pa Pè".
2011, marks the reissue of "Emosion Bèlè" [remastered album and credited with 5 new titles for the first time available in France] and the European tour of the artist.
In March 2011, Edmond Mondesir receives the "Prix France Musique des Musiques du monde 2011" award.
Fort-de-France
Fort-de-France is the capital of France's Caribbean overseas department of Martinique. It is also one of the major cities in the Caribbean. Exports include sugar, rum, tinned fruit, and cacao.-Geography:...
(Martinique
Martinique
Martinique is an island in the eastern Caribbean Sea, with a land area of . Like Guadeloupe, it is an overseas region of France, consisting of a single overseas department. To the northwest lies Dominica, to the south St Lucia, and to the southeast Barbados...
) in 1948. Professor of Philosophy, talented writer and composer, he is also a recognized singer and an awarded « tanbou bèlè
Bélé
A bélé is a folk song and dance from Dominica, performed most commonly during full moon evenings, or sometimes during funeral wakes . It may be the oldest Creole dance from Dominica, and strongly reflects influences from African fertility dances. The dance is also popular in Saint Lucia...
» musician.
Biography
After finishing his philosophy career he returned to his birth place with the conviction of the existence of a rich musical tradition in MartiniqueMartinique
Martinique is an island in the eastern Caribbean Sea, with a land area of . Like Guadeloupe, it is an overseas region of France, consisting of a single overseas department. To the northwest lies Dominica, to the south St Lucia, and to the southeast Barbados...
. He then participates in many traditional groups and starts to investigate in the North Martinique’s provinces searching for the authentic Bèlé.
After this starting road, he creates with Léon Bertide the group Bèlènou in 1980 and records his first Bèlé’s album, with his own compositions and a traditional touch. In 1983, it comes out their second album, consecrated to modern instrumental Bèlé. Between 1980 and 2002 Edmond Mondésir makes nine productions, divided between traditional Bèlé and modern Bèlé, between sung bèlé and instrumental Bèlé.
During their 25 years career he performed with his group on the Martinica’s most prestigious stages. The artist’s fame expands all over the Caribbean
Caribbean
The Caribbean is a crescent-shaped group of islands more than 2,000 miles long separating the Gulf of Mexico and the Caribbean Sea, to the west and south, from the Atlantic Ocean, to the east and north...
and Latin America, and it was in a Cuban festival where he found the inspiration for the song “Santiago”.
In 2003, he receives the SACEM award as a homenage to his whole work.
Today, Edmond Mondésir is an important pillar in the Bèlé music in Martinique. He is, at the same time, a defensor of this music’s authenticity and the executor of its modernization about the Bèlé spirit’s integrity. But more than an artist, he is a cultural militant that has been fighting for thirty years for the Maritinican to be proud of their cultural identity and get it back.
The first album with Manuel Mondésir: « Emosion Bèlè - Les chants du père, la musique du fils » (2006) made and arranged by his son Manuel is the symbol of a bridge between two generations, an exotic and calm trip over a music with roots and multiple aspects.
In 2008 the second collaboration with Manuel Mondésir : « Emosion Bèlè 2 - Hommage à Ti Emile ». It's a tribute to one of the greatest singer of bèlè Ti Emile (1925–1992).
In 2009, he released two albums "Sé Pou La viktwa Nou Ka Alé" and "Nou Pa Pè".
2011, marks the reissue of "Emosion Bèlè" [remastered album and credited with 5 new titles for the first time available in France] and the European tour of the artist.
In March 2011, Edmond Mondesir receives the "Prix France Musique des Musiques du monde 2011" award.
Bélénou discography
- 1980 : Bèlènou (Lanné Tala)
- 1983 : Bèlènou (Chimen Tala)
- 1987 : Syèl Kléré
- 1990 : Emosyon Tambou-a
- 1992 : An ti van frémi
- 1998 : Janbé Lizyè
- 2000 : Retrospektiv
Edmond Mondésir discography
- 1995 : Mélodi Bèlè
- 2002 : Manmay Bèlè
- 2006 : Emosion Bèlè - Les chants du père, la musique du fils (with Manuel Mondésir)
- 2008 : Emosion Bèlè 2 - Hommage à Ti-Emile (with Manuel Mondésir)
- 2009 : Sé Pou La Viktwa Nou Ka Alé
- 2009 : Nou Pa Pè
- 2011 : Emosion Bèlè (reissue remastered with 5 new tracks)